Why are some people left-handed? - Daniel M. Abrams

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Today, about one-tenth of the world’s population are southpaws. Why are such a small proportion of people left-handed
-- and why does the trait exist in the first place? Daniel M. Abrams
investigates how the uneven ratio of lefties and righties gives insight
into a balance between competitive and cooperative pressures on human
evolution.

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Additional Resources for you to Explore

Can cooperation and competition affect the evolution of left-handedness or right-handedness in a population? Researchers Daniel Abrams and Mark J. Pannagio have researched this very topic and presented it in this TED Ed lesson. Read the article: Shedding Light on Southpaws and find out more about their research. Listen to an Academic Minute interview of the author here!

Are you a “lefty” or a “righty?” If you are a lefty, you share the same trait with people like Barack Obama, Carl Sagan, Alexander the Great, H.G. Wells, and Richard Simmons. They are all left-handed too! Visit this site and find out more people who share this trait with you. Time Magazine’s Top Ten Lefties includes Oprah Winfrey and Ned Flanders. Will you be a top-ten lefty someday too?

Still unsure about how people become left handed or right handed? Read this article for more information or watch this PBS Digital short: Why are some people left-handed? Is being left-handed still and evolutionary mystery? Brain Pickings has some information about this topic! Right Left Right Wrong has nearly all of the science behind handedness. Take a look at it and find out more!

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animation lessons feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »